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How do I Choose the Best Kids' Lamps?

Mary Ellen Popolo
Mary Ellen Popolo

Kids' lamps come in a wide variety of types, styles, and colors, which makes it easy to find one to match any child's room decor. Although color and style are important factors in the selection process, other factors must also be considered. The size of the lamp, its cost, and how much light it will supply are other important things to think about.

If the lamp will be the primary source of lighting in the room, you need to choose one that provides enough light for tasks such as reading and homework. On the other hand, if it will be a secondary lighting source, it may not need to provide a lot of light. Some lamps are designed to use a three-way light bulb which gives you the option of choosing from three different levels of light, most commonly, 50, 100, and 150 watts. The higher wattage can be used while doing crafts or reading, while the lower wattage can be selected for playing and bedtime.

Accent lamps produce a softer light that is helpful when putting a child to bed.
Accent lamps produce a softer light that is helpful when putting a child to bed.

Floor lamps, table lamps, and desk lamps are a few of the different types of kids' lamps. Choose the type of lamp that will work best in your child's room. If the lamp will be placed on a dresser, end table, or desk make sure that there is enough room on the surface to hold the lamp. Floor lamps save surface space but take away floor space instead. They might not be a good choice for younger children, who might knock or tip over a floor lamp.

Choose a color or design that will match or complement the decor in your child's room. Consider selecting a lamp that has no specific theme. Instead, choose a design or color that can be changed as your child grows or as the design of the room changes. A lamp base in a neutral style can be dressed up to match the room's decor simply by changing the shade. This will allow you to easily and cheaply give the lamp a new look without replacing it entirely.

Price is another factor to consider. If you need to stay within a certain budget, look at kids' lamps only within your price range. If style or design is more important than price, shop for what you need or like rather than by price. The cost of kids' lamps runs from inexpensive to very expensive, depending on the style, type of lamp, manufacturer, and the store where it is purchased.

Discussion Comments

umbra21

@pleonasm - You can't protect kids forever though and if you have kids who are prone to mischief it doesn't matter what you provide for them, they'll find a way to make it dangerous.

I think kids table lamps are pretty well made these days. They know what kids are like and usually make it so that the bulb is protected so they aren't going to accidentally burn themselves or your good shirts either.

I like having lamps in the kids room because it gives them some control over when they want to go to sleep. They have a bedtime, of course but they are welcome to read for a while after that time.

It's only if they stay up for too long reading that we tap on the door and let them know it's time for sleep.

pleonasm

@browncoat - I'd be cautious about having a lamp in my kid's room until they were a bit older.

I know younger kids are all too likely to be playing around and might smash the bulb and the bulbs they use now contain mercury which is quite dangerous.

Not to mention I can remember being a kid myself once. When I was about six or so I decided I wanted to play in different colored lights, so my solution was to put different colored shirts over the lamp in my room.

Unfortunately, when I got bored I just left one sitting on there and it quickly began to smell burned.

Luckily my mother smelled it and managed to get it away from the bulb before it caught fire, but I scorched one of her good shirts and she was not happy.

I'd be terrified one of my kids would do this, or come up with something even more ill advised.

browncoat

When I was a kid my father bought us some touch lamps. We thought they were the greatest thing in the world.

Not only did they turn on and off with a single touch to the metal wire around the edge of the lamp, they would cycle through different levels of light so that you could choose to sit in dim light or bright light with a touch of your finger. It was especially nice for the end of the evening when we were going to bed.

I think they were quite expensive back then, but now touch lamps seem to be about the same price as any other kind of lamp.

I would recommend getting them for your kids for the novelty value alone.

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    • Accent lamps produce a softer light that is helpful when putting a child to bed.
      By: Iriana Shiyan
      Accent lamps produce a softer light that is helpful when putting a child to bed.